Agonizing choice proved fatal for Effort abuse victim

Victoria's face was beaten, bloodied and bruised by her live-in boyfriend, the father of their infant son.

Victoria's face was beaten, bloodied and bruised by her live-in boyfriend, the father of their infant son.

The 21-year-old Effort woman wanted to leave, but couldn't. Victoria's son needed a heart transplant to live. Her understanding was that any changes in the household status would put him at the bottom of the transplant list, condemning him to death.

So she stayed.

That abuse ended four years ago yesterday. Her boyfriend, in a jealous rage, shot Victoria in the back, face and head then turned his gun at their 18-month-old son Sidney, shooting him while he lay on the floor next to his crib after falling from his mother's arms.

Death was the final escape for the abused woman and son. It didn't have to be.

Victoria's choice to stay in an abusive relationship was like that of many women, who have their own rationalizations. Family, finances, attachment and the hope it will stop.

People stay out of love and fear, not out of objectivity. And Victoria loved her son.

Sidney was diagnosed with a heart problem before birth and received a heart transplant at about age 1. He spent his short life under intense medical care.